There are many tough lighting fixtures situations when typical answers merely can not ship. Be it weight, area, or another limitation, small lighting are a should in any photographer’s equipment. In spite of no longer being probably the most tough, they’re steadily maximum used on units and places. A number of the sea of small lighting, a couple of stand out. One such one is the Specular KYU-6. Listed here are my ideas in this mild.
Advent
They are saying are living, chuckle, love. I say, are living, flash, love. Now not handiest do I really like flash, however I additionally hardly use consistent mild for pictures. Positive, slightly steady mild is good for video and blended resources pictures, however it’s not my number one driving force. However, the significance of small lighting cannot be underestimated. As a stills photographer, I nonetheless like to combine flash and dependable mild now and again for inventive impact. Holding an open thoughts, I determined to present the KYU-6 a take a look at. Their small and versatile LED strips were given me . For something, it’s a small product that does numerous issues. In brief, they provide both bi-color or RGB LEDs which are dimmable and have a magnetic mount, all whilst being small and versatile. 
Construct High quality
The sunshine is produced from rubber and provides some water and mud resistance, which is welcomed by means of creatives out within the box. The charging port is a Micro-USB sort and is secure by means of a rubber flap. It will’ve been great to look a Sort-C charger within the KYU-6. The design of the sunshine itself lets in it to be versatile, which makes mounting it anyplace a snap — actually. It could actually wrap round like a bracelet. The construct of this mild might simply be my favourite factor about it, as there are only a few puts the place it cannot be fixed. Mounting on steel surfaces is completed by the use of the magnets which are throughout the mild. The sunshine ships with a rubber band that can mean you can hold it. Finally, as it wraps round like a bracelet, it may be placed on any tube this is skinny sufficient. One more reason I really like this mild is that it’s mild (pun supposed). Weighing handiest 42 g, it would possibly not also be noticeable on your digital camera bag, and it’s going to keep fastened to surfaces in point of fact neatly. Handholding this received’t be an issue for most of the people both. The LEDs themselves are beneath semi-clear rubber, which makes each and every particular person LED level a gentle supply. It will’ve been nicer to look a matte white floor, which might diffuse the sunshine or even it out. 
Options
Relying at the model of the sunshine that you just get, you are going to both have an RGB spectrum or white mild. Turning it on, you will have 5 brightness choices, with the bottom one being virtually unnoticeable in sunlight, to the easiest one being rather brilliant and sufficient to mild a desk or a subject matter no longer too a long way from the sunshine supply. The RGB model and the bi-color may’ve been mixed right into a unmarried product; then again, given the small shape issue, that will’ve resulted in accuracy issues. 
The center button switches between number one colours: pink, inexperienced, and blue, whilst the 3rd will can help you fine-tune the opposite 5 secondary colours beneath each and every number one. General, you will have numerous colour choices at the RGB model, which must be lots for some makes use of. On the other hand, in 2022, lighting fixtures producers must in point of fact step up their sport and be offering app keep watch over of all colour choices. For instance, a consumer who needs to program a selected tone into the KYU-6 would possibly not’ be capable of do this because of this limitation. Once more, this received’t be an issue for many creators, however if you’re searching for extra precision, this mild might not be for you.
A function that I would really like to look at the KYU-6 is app keep watch over. For the reason that those lighting are as small as they’re, it’s simple to acquire dozens of them on a collection. Think you’re lighting fixtures an indoor location and are the use of those lighting so as to add accents to cabinets and lines. There are simply a dozen of those LEDs kicking round. Going over to each and every particular person one and adjusting it by means of hand is time-consuming. It will be implausible to look an app that may communicate to they all immediately. That might additionally let customers program their very own lighting fixtures situations to it.
Every other function that I want this mild had is a big battery indicator or a small display with different settings. Because the battery at the KYU-6 is not in particular long-lasting on prime energy. On the similar time, it’s strangely just right for a gentle this mild and small. However, a battery indicator could be advisable to many customers.
My Shot
I made this symbol with an iPhone. To me, that is loopy. Now not handiest is product pictures outdoor of my convenience zone, however so is capturing skilled paintings with an iPhone. In recent times, despite the fact that, I shoot increasingly with an iPhone as it is amusing and simple.
Let’s communicate in regards to the shot I made with some LED KYU-6 lighting, a black backdrop, and an iPhone. To begin with, the sneaker was once all black, and coincidentally, I came about to have purchased new ones on that day, so the selection of matter was once obtrusive. Positioning the shoe in a “hero shot” place, I sought after to turn the measurement and intensity of the shoe. Therefore, the digital camera was once positioned underneath, and a wide-ish perspective was once selected. At the iPhone, it equated to 24mm. I made positive to shoot the picture in uncooked structure to permit for higher colour grading and extra flexibility.
The lighting fixtures procedure was once additionally beautiful easy. I determined to make use of the colours to be had to me within the KYU-6 RGB and went for a relatively in style crimson and inexperienced scheme. The colours distinction in point of fact neatly, which added to the drama within the image. The only of the shoe lacked some construction, therefore I positioned a bi-color KYU-6 beneath the shoe and grew to become it to a heat environment. This allowed me to stay inside the colour palette, whilst additionally highlighting the element at the backside of the shoe. Finally, slightly blue accessory was once added to turn the white colour. This fashion, no a part of the product was once misplaced within the shadow, and the overall symbol was once created. It was once essential for me to do that shot with probably the most fundamental setup to turn that you’ll do so much with those lighting and a telephone. 
Here’s the picture I shot with a colour grade carried out, however clearly no Photoshop. Relying for your abilities, you may be able to take this symbol a lot additional in post-production. 
Abstract
The KYU-6 isn’t for everybody, however many will in finding it becoming for his or her wishes. This mild is absolute best for including a splash of colour on your pictures or growing moody lighting fixtures for some scenes. Additionally it is a just right significant other for long-exposure paintings, particularly macro pictures. It’s simple to place this mild in small areas, conceal it in simple sight, or wrap it round an object. Positive sufficient, it really works as a bracelet.
It received’t be a good selection for somebody who wishes long-life lighting to mild massive units, remarkable colour accuracy, or app keep watch over.
After all, the KYU-6 is advertised as a gentle this is at all times with you, and it completely lives as much as this tagline, because the small shape issue, light-weight, magnetic mounts, and versatile design give no excuse for somebody not to have it. It’s worthwhile to even cross so far as dressed in this mild for your wrist.
What I Favored
- Measurement and weight
- Value
- Capability
- Versatile design
What May Be Progressed
- Battery existence
- App connectivity
Final Ideas
The Spekular KYU-6 is a light-weight, moveable, and rather flexible mild. Superb for individuals who wish to upload slightly of colour, mild a small scene, or create an accessory in an area the place you’ll’t have compatibility a distinct mild. For the cost of $49, it’s arduous to overcome, however if you’re having a look at one thing that provides extra capability and higher battery existence. For many photographers, together with full-time professionals, the KYU-6 will do the process, whilst additionally being a budget-friendly possibility. So, on the finish of the day, I will counsel this mild to photographers of all ranges.